Dongfeng Nissan, the joint venture between Hubei-based Dongfeng Motor and Japan's Nissan Motor, said yesterday it would invest 5 billion yuan (HK$5.67 billion) in a third vehicle plant in Huadu, Guangzhou.

Due to be completed in 2012 with a maximum capacity of 240,000 units, the plant will take the venture's total annual production to more than 700,000 vehicles, including its two existing plants in Huadu and Xiangfan in Hubei province.

The venture sold 225,073 vehicles in the first six months, an increase of 41.32 per cent from last year. Sales reached 350,000 units last year, up 28.91 per cent from 2007.